Vettel crowned youngest Formula One World Champion

Red Bull claim drivers’ and constructors’ titles.

ABU DHABI: Sebastian Vettel was crowned as the youngest drivers champion in Formula One history when he outstripped all his rivals and won the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix for Red Bull.

The 23-year-old Vettel took the title with a faultless drive from pole position to the chequered flag, resisting a strong challenge from McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton. Hamilton came home second after a long period of frustration behind Robert Kubica’s Renault and was followed home by his teammate Jenson Button, the 2009 champion.

Pre-race series leader Fernando Alonso of Ferrari and Vettel’s teammate Mark Webber fell out of contention for the title when they emerged down the field after early pit-stops. The Spaniard then spent lap after lap trying in vain to find a way past Petrov. Meanwhile, Webber had been the first of the contenders to pit and also became bogged down in traffic in a race.

An emotional Vettel wept on the podium as the German anthem was played. Red Bull chief Christian Horner told him, “Sebastian, you are the World Champion.”

German Nico Rosberg came fourth for Mercedes while Michael Schumacher had been forced to retire following a big accident on the opening lap. Kubica came fifth ahead of his teammate Russian Vitaly Petrov of Renault. Vettel ended up with 256 points to take the title ahead of Alonso on 252, Webber on 242, and Hamilton on 240. Red Bull won the constructors’ championship the previous weekend in Brazil.

“It’s unbelievable! It’s been a very emotional week for this team. It’s the first time Sebastian has led the World Championship and he’s done it when it counted,” said Horner. “Webber can also be very proud of his efforts this season. We’re double World Champions - it’s unbelievable!”

Vettel was fortunate to escape injury as the car ploughed into the side of the stationary Mercedes and rode up over the airbox just behind Schumacher’s head.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 15^th, 2010.